I leave at O’dark-thirty tomorrow morning (4:05 am shuttle pickup) to spend a few days in Phoenix with my 95 year old dad and my sister and brother-in-law. We will celebrate Thanksgiving a week early and I will probably overeat. I’m not expecting to post anything until I get back on Sunday. We have had blue skies with scattered clouds but it’s been a cold, blustery day, which makes for a good day to stay inside and pack for the trip.
What the government will or will not do is finally beside the point. If people do not have the government they want, then they will have a government that they must either change or endure. Finally, all the issues that I have discussed here are neither political nor economic, but moral and spiritual. What is at issue is our character as a people.
Wendell Berry, The Hidden Wound
The above quote is near the end of Wendell Berry’s book, called The Hidden Wound. Even though the book was written in 1989 this quote seems to aptly apply to our situation today. I’m not a believer in looking to a government, a new legislation, or some leader to make our social, political or economic situations better, although they can help. For several years our real issues in our society, its government, and I will include the world, are really moral and spiritual. He’s right: What is at issue is our character as a people. What is sad to me is that people do not want, or even know how, to look internally at their character. Or, worse yet, many have no idea what character means. It’s much easier to point a finger elsewhere. Anyway, I will be off line for a few days.
8 Comments
Tom Dills
Enjoy your early holiday with family!
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Tom! I did!
geri oster
This quote and your thoughts, Monte, are an encouragement to me. I am not powerless. It may only be an effect in a very small sphere, but I can choose to enlarge my Spiritual Heart, thereby, hopefully bringing at least a small light to my circle of influence. Then, for me, there is always prayer. Safe and happy travels, dear friend.
Monte Stevens
Thank you Geri! We must believe we can make a difference by how we live life. In my experience that is a powerful way to change the world is beginning with us. There is an African proverb often attributed to the Dalai Lama, “…if you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent a night with a mosquito.”
Rebecca Charese Jones
What an insightful read, thank you for sharing. That quote brought me great comfort. I hope you are having the best time with your family!
Monte Stevens
I am so glad you stopped and left a comment. Very much appreciated. The more the merrier. I had a wonderful time with my family and will share in a post. Probably see you tonight.
Mark
Hope you enjoy your visit! Wow, some good genes there to reach 95 and counting.
It’s unfortunate we do not have more people like Berry in government.
Monte Stevens
I feel the same. I have not read enough of his work to know if he would even take on such a role because of what it has become. I sure wouldn’t. It seems we are much better off when we have someone represent the people without a salary and all the perks while limiting their time of service. They only serve themselves!!!